A Message To Keep Me Afloat

Song Length 2:47 Genre Folk - Rock, Folk - Country
Tempo Medium Fast (131 - 150) Lead Vocal Male Vocal
Mood Jovial Subject Philosophy, Encouragement
Similar Artists Jimmy Buffett Language English

Lyrics

A Message To Keep Me Afloat © Jeff Ashbaker
909-793-0245

Nothing I say is worth saying
And all that I do is for nil
So my spirit is constantly craving
While my heart's at a sudden stand still

So I was taking some time to remember
Times that were better than these
Well it was breaking my heart to surrender my part
So I got down on my knees

---Chorus---
I said "Hey flood me with an image that frees me
Throw me a line from your boat
For I know that your love guarantees me
A message to keep me afloat
Tell me of things I have banished from thought
Show me an error of ways
Bring me an answer to have or have not
And I'll share with you all of my days
---------------------------------------

So I was hoping today I'll consider
Some dreams that I had, have come true
And illusions that once seemed so bitter
Have all been sweetened by you

Now the dark skies are brightened by rainbows
So I'm beginning to see from your light
That the rain it must flow, so the flowers can grow
And our love, it will shine through the night

--Repeat Chorus--

-Tag-
Yeah, bring me an answer to have or have not
And I'll share with you all of my days

nice feel and soundscape- nice melody - and good ear candy in the production. Lyrics are smart and well crafted, I will say not because he just passed but this song conjures Jimmy Buffet in its style, delivery, vocal type, and ocean theme.... well done

Nice song. I like the color of the electric guitar, nicely done. Nice melody.

nice groove from the jump. Singers voice puts me in mind of Jimmy Buffet as does the song it self. Love the sound of the steel guitar in this track also the overall feel and vibe. This song has a great chorus that stick's with the listener. Had me bouncing to the beat. Great job all in all very well done.

I recognize your style. Your songcraft is excellent, as always. I take notice of music and words first, and because of your expertise, which is so far ahead, I tend to look at your songs in terms of album cuts and singles and my assessments could well be off the mark because now I'm in personal taste. I would call this an excellent album cut. "Put Your Heart Back in the Freezer" would be a single as it is so memorable and unique. This one is still terrific. You write catchy lilting tunes...I'll bet you write hits with that kind of ability. I really like your harmonizing female singer. She works so well with your style. No need to mention instrumentation, studio work, etc...all professional and admirable. I'm not in that league.

Very well put-together piece with a really good beat and intelligent lyrics. Voice and instrumentation are both fully up to snuff.

peppy tune...good folky/pop tune
nice addition with the pedal steel.
adds that country vibe
and good harmonies

Nice easy listening song. I'm somewhere in the States in an open top vehicle, the sun is shining, the wind is in my hair and I'm listening to this song on the radio. Feeling good!

Nice intro; bouncy upbeat from the beginning. Good vocal tone and delivery. Lyrics roll along really well. Gives it a positive vibe. Like the sudden silence at around 1.08. A lot of clever light hooks in this song (silence, guitar licks, vocal delivery/rhythm of words). Arrangement ensures even balance of instrumentation/vocals. Nice song.

A quick starting country folk track. This track has a good feel to it. its well recorded and has the feel good factor.
good vocal style and the backing music suits the track very well
liked the bass and mix. short enjoyable song

I like the whole song, lyrics and music. Great job!!

Nice feel: very easy to listen to. The acoustic tones as well as the snare have a nice presence within the track. The mix is very even without any piece standing out in a negative way.

Excellent song really has the folk feel. Love the guitar work and use of several guitars. Chorus very strong, I am biased towards this style, but even with that this is very very well done. Would have liked a solo verse just to hear more of the groove.

Very buffet sounding, happy song.

Nice vocals and lyrics. Good catchy tempo. Good instrumentation. Fun song.

good country rock track. good lyrics that keep you listening.
nice track well produced and performed. quality track

Sounds like Jimmy Buffett, good song

This a great Jimmy Buffet style song. Great lyrical ideas. Don't see any need for improvement there. Good traditional island feel. And the intro reminds me of Mark Knopler.

What's not to like about this song? It's what I call a double song....one of those that could be considered a song to God....or a girl. I think the God idea makes more sense. This is a very easy listening song. I listened to it 3 times. I don't do that for very many songs that I review. Love the chorus, very original and catchy. Love the boat metaphor; it really works. The beauty of the structure of your lyric writing is the simplicity of it...and you stuck to your structure and didn't make the song too long. Way to go! I would hold this song up and say that (am I right?) whoever wrote it worked on it carefully and probably refined it with a few edits. Excellent instrumentation, polished recording, perfect mix. Great job and I would definitely like to hear more.

Singer is easy going and likable. Production is fine and music is played well by all involved. Lyrics are fine as well. Song is quite catchy. Nice Job.

Lyrics Jeff Ashbaker Music Jeff Ashbaker
Performance Jeff Ashbaker

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